Apple smart glasses: Everything you need to know

Apple smart glasses design: What will Apple smart glasses look like?

Unlike the bulky Vision Pro, Apple’s smart glasses are expected to resemble a normal pair of eyewear.

Apple is said to be prioritizing a lightweight, accessory-like design rather than the heavy, immersive approach of the Vision Pro. To appeal to a mainstream audience, the glasses are rumored to be significantly lighter and more affordable, positioned primarily as an iPhone companion.

According to various reports, the glasses will look like traditional frames and will not adopt a headset-style design.

To accommodate the necessary hardware, the frames may be slightly bulkier than standard glasses and will likely use plastic or similar lightweight materials.

One potential frame style could be inspired by the glasses worn by Apple CEO Tim Cook.

Apple

Frame styles in development

In April 2026, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple has four frame styles in testing:

• A large rectangular frame, reminiscent of Ray-Ban Wayfarers
• Larger oval or circular frames
• A slimmer rectangular design, similar to the glasses worn by Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook
• A smaller, more refined oval or circular option

Apple is also experimenting with finishes such as black, light brown, and ocean blue. The frames are reportedly made from acetate, which Gurman describes as “more durable and luxurious than standard plastic.”

Apple’s design approach

Apple is developing the frames in-house rather than partnering with third-party brands, unlike Meta (Ray-Ban, Oakley) or Google (Warby Parker). The goal is to create a product that is instantly recognizable as an Apple device.

Earlier reports suggest Apple is aiming for a higher level of build quality compared to competing smart glasses from Meta and Google.

Apple smart glasses features: What will Apple smart glasses do?

Apple’s smart glasses are expected to be a lightweight, AI-first accessory designed to complement the iPhone rather than replace it. Unlike the Vision Pro, which focuses on immersive spatial computing, these glasses will likely take a more subtle approach – similar to Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses – prioritizing everyday utility and privacy.

The glasses are not expected to function as a standalone device. Instead, they will rely heavily on a paired iPhone via Bluetooth. How much functionality will be available without an iPhone remains unclear.

The Apple smart glasses are reported to offer the following features:

• Camera for video/photos: Users will be able to capture photos and record video directly from the glasses.
• Visual Intelligence: The onboard camera will analyze objects and scenes in real time, enabling features like object recognition and contextual awareness.
• Speakers: Built-in speakers will deliver audio from the iPhone, including calls, music, podcasts, navigation directions, and alerts.
• Microphone: Used for phone calls, voice commands, and features like live translation.
• Advanced Siri integration: A more capable, AI-driven Siri is expected to power most interactions and tasks.
• Fixed heads up display: Likely limited to simple overlays such as notifications and turn-by-turn directions rather than full AR visuals.
• Privacy focus: Apple is expected to emphasize on-device processing and secure cloud infrastructure to minimize data collection.

The built-in cameras are rumored to feature vertically oriented oval lenses with surrounding indicator lights, distinguishing them from the circular cameras used in Meta’s glasses.

Role in Apple’s ecosystem

One of the primary purposes of the smart glasses is to act as a wearable interface for Apple Intelligence. Much of their functionality will depend on Apple’s next-generation Siri, which is rumored to be previewed alongside broader AI upgrades at WWDC26.

Apple

Advanced capabilities (rumored)

The first generation will likely focus on audio features and basic visual overlays. Over time, Apple is expected to evolve the product into true augmented reality glasses capable of rendering 3D digital content seamlessly within the user’s physical environment.

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is exploring more advanced features, including:

• Text recognition and digitization
• Context-aware reminders (e.g., prompting you to pick up an item you’re looking at in a store)
• More natural navigation guidance, with Siri referencing real-world landmarks instead of generic directions

Health tracking has also been mentioned, though it’s expected to be less comprehensive than what’s offered by the Apple Watch.

What specs are rumoured for the Apple smart glasses?

According to Mark Gurman, the device will likely use a modified version of the Apple Watch S-series chip. Apple is reportedly developing custom chips for the glasses based on the Apple Watch S-series, modified for extreme power efficiency to manage camera controls and AI tasks.

The glasses are expected to include open-ear speakers, a microphone for voice commands, and a built-in camera for capturing photos and video.

Reports indicate that Apple may chose a display-less design for its first iteration, similar to the Meta Ray-Ban glasses.

Will Apple smart glasses support prescription lenses and different sizes?

The early reports for the Apple smart glasses have not stated if they can be outfitted with prescription lenses. Since other smart glasses support this, it seems likely that Apple will, too.

Reports have also not stated how Apple will handle frame sizing for customers. As prescription glasses wearers know, some frame styles fit better than others. Also, some styles can’t be used with multifocal lenses.

With the Apple Vision Pro, customers book demos at the Apple Store to get the experience of using one and also get fitted properly. Apple has this infrastructure in place and can use it with the new smart glasses.

Apple smart glasses name: What will Apple’s glasses be called?

No reports have been made regarding the name for the Apple smart glasses. Within Apple, the device has the code name of N50.

We can speculate on what the naming system will be, based on recent history. Apple no longer gives products “i” names, so it’s unlikely that they will be called iGlasses (though that won’t stop the media and others from calling it that until the official name is released).

“Apple” is in the company’s branding: Apple TV, Apple Vision Pro, Apple Business, Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, etc. So it seems like a viable possibility that this device will be called “Apple [something].”

This leads to whether Apple uses some form of the term “glasses” in the name. It seems unlikely that Apple will use “smart glasses.”

One interesting development to watch for is whether Apple decides to include the device in the Vision Pro lineup. If it does, then it will use some form of “Vision” in its name. If not, then Apple will not use “Vision” in the name in order to signify the separation.

Apple smart glasses release date: When could Apple smart glasses be released?

While Apple has made no announcements relating to smart glasses, it does seem that development work has been ongoing at the company for some time. Back in November 2024, Gurman reported that Apple had begun research into the smart glasses market by performing focus group discussions with Apple employees. Then, about a year later in October 2025, Gurman reported that Apple had decided to abandon its work on an Apple Vision Pro redesign to prioritize smart glasses.

Several detailed roadmaps from industry analysts suggest a launch could occur between late 2026 and 2028.

• Late 2026 Launch: Back in 2025 Mark Gurman suggested that Apple has big plans to release smart glasses in the second half of 2026. This is looking less likely now.
• 2026 Preview with 2027 Launch: Apple might previewing this new category early, as it has done in the past: showing off the new glasses as early as 2026 as a preview, although the actual launch will be delayed until 2027. This was suggested by Gurman in December 2025.
• Launch in 2027: In February 2026, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that Apple made “significant progress” in the development of the glasses, and it could be ready for production by the end of the year, with a public release in early 2027.
• Launch in 2028: Development delays relating to Apple’s AI could push the launch in to 2028.

Apple smart glasses price: How much could Apple smart glasses cost?

No reports have been made so far regarding the prices for the Apple smart glasses.

For reference, here are the starting prices for the Meta AI glasses without prescription lenses and other lens options:

• Ray-Ban Wayfarer (Gen 1) and Skylar (Gen 1): $299
• Ray-Ban Wayfarer (Gen 2), Skylar (Gen 2), and Headliner (Gen 2): $379
• Ray-Ban Blayzer Optics (Gen 2) and Scriber Optics (Gen 2): $499
• Oakley Meta HSTN: $399
• Oakley Meta Vanguard: $499

Apple will want to be competitive with these prices, but the variance is wide, so the company could offer the higher prices that you’ll often find with designer frames.